“.... You must be strong enough to meet them as brothers and friends for there will be many of them.”
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7331
“How did your husband kill his enemies? Ai, he must have large teeth and nails for he tore their bodies to pieces.”
I laughed, knowing what I was starting and amused by the irony. “The Fanged One? He is father to all.”
With eyes wide open in amazement he still had the sense of humour to ask, “Surely not yours also?”
“Oh yes, he is my father and husband.” (Robbie says he’ll never forgive me
Mzuto and wife Bimisi, Fiboni (7y dau), Moisi (2y dau) and Miseni arrived with Saiama nearly two weeks later. They arrived with enough meat for two days so we had a feast to welcome them.
The girls had left me a long skirt, so I cut it open and taking all of them to the river I showed them how to trap fish. I told Saiama and Miseni not to travel more than two days away and warned them about the dangers of entering still water. They knew how to gut and clean and dry fish so we had a big meal that night and they departed before dawn.
The Unation sent butterflies and little hummingbirds (because they can hover), which made them stand out as they are not indigenous. I had to warn everybody that the butterflies and birds are mine and nobody is to harm them. They are not stupid, people who live off the land can quickly tell what is not normal, but they did not know about robots so they thought they must be from some other land.
One morning, as I got out of bed, I started slipping my feet into the moccasins (a new pair) when a scorpion as big as my index finger ran out, its tail curved over and ready to strike. I don’t recall jumping back onto my bed, my Cherinian reflexes must have taken over. It was a brown colour with a tail ending in the sting a yellowish and almost translucent tint. I slapped the moccasin on the ground to frighten it away and it hid under the cupboard. I shook my moccasins, just to be certain and putting them on I rushed to the women. I tried explaining, but did not know the word for scorpion so I took them back to my hut and with a stick cajoled it until it showed itself. The women quickly killed it and I’m certain my request that they be careful, especially for the children’s sake, was entirely superfluous. At least it broke the silence between us and we started talking. A couple of hours later I asked why none of them had talked to me and they explained that they thought I do not want to talk to them so they had left me alone. My face was red for hours.
The women mistook my willingness to talk to them for an interest in learning all the duties of a woman. They brought a small hollowed trunk, placed corn in it and pounded it, showing me how to twist the stick and move the corn until I was certain I had crushed all of it. Then they taught me how to cook it. If Freddie had not been watching I might have been interested, but I have not spent over a century being careful not to learn how to cook to give up my ignorance for the sake of being nice. I dutifully watched and then explained I am not interested in cooking as I have too many things to do already. I asked Bimisi to bring her two children to me and I examined them. The older one had ringworm and something they call in Tanzania funja (eggs laid under the toenails usually; it itches like anything and usually causes the loss of the toenail), so I asked my loves that night to send their healers to the kids.
The next day I took a long walk and then asked Robbie to visit if nobody has followed me. He jumped, arriving so close to me that I was within his arms even as I realised he’d arrived. He kissed me and I pulled back to look into his eyes.
“Don’t you find me ugly the way I am?”
“May I see your shoulder?” My fingers were trembling slightly as I undid my blouse and pulled it off. He could not stop the tears that filled his eyes. “Oh my love.” His fingers softly felt the scar tissue and then he gently probed, confirming the condition of the bones which had been too badly crunched to heal or had joined incorrectly. “I have always loved you too much to see anything but beauty when I look at you. Your shoulder and the scars are ugly Sam, but they are ugly because they represent the terrible pain you endured. I wish I had not killed those men, I should have prolonged their suffering for days before killing them.”
7332
A little later, he gave me a grin. “I should warn you that Cassie claims that what you are doing, by keeping your mangled shoulder as it is, is unfair to them. She said you have only done so, so as to make me love you even more.”
“You may tell her I recommend the experience, all of it was worth it just to see the love in your eyes.”
“How long do you plan to stay Sam?”
“I think the world as we know it in our time is the way it is only because I returned and meddled. I have to convince the Feshidi to all move to this side of the river. Dad, we don’t have five hundred years, when the Orati first arrived they found the Feshidi tribe spread throughout the land. With such a few babies surviving they’ll never grow to such numbers unless I teach them a few basics about hygiene.” I thought for a while, tempted to go to Freddie for a visit.
“I have to…no, I could leave with you and return within the hour whenever I want but…to make my shoulder like this again and again Dad? I’d also lose the impetus, I can only guide them if I’m totally committed, not just as a task in between everything else.”
“We’ll wait love. Oh, Lucy asked whether she can send her healer to Skotos - just to check he’s alright.” Of course I agreed, sending her a kiss.
Robbie did not ask, he touched me and jumped. “In our time the area has mango and avocado trees. Let’s dig up a few saplings.”
I grinned at him. “How about some red bananas? Cooking them while green will expand their diets. Can you find another salt lick, the one we found doesn’t have enough salt.”
As he dug up some mango trees he started laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“You are.” His laughter redoubled.
“I’m certain I’ll find it interesting to learn why.”
“For a person who doesn’t like spiders, scorpions and other little creatures, your choice of repeatedly spending years as a Normal on this planet is sort of funny.”
“I’ve never been keen on horses, I mean I do find them beautiful, but I’m not like some of the girls who just adore horses and yet I end up with Skotos. Life is funny - maybe I should tame myself a few scorpions.”
He paused and stared at me. “Are you ready to tell me why you asked me to come?”
“I missed you.”
He nodded. “And?”
“I don’t want you to feel guilty about killing those men.”
“They wanted you to be born as a local of this time. If they thought it would be good for you, why should I deprive them of the experience? Maybe after a number of lives they’ll be better people by our time. Sam, I’m still too close to my fear for you and my anger for me to feel guilty. Remind me in a couple of years.” I had to walk to him, but the cuddle was worth it.
I giggled. “I couldn’t carry one of those, how do I convince them I carried all of them - after the impossible job of digging them all up within one day!”
He chuckled. “Tell them they are a gift from the Fanged One. I’ll deliver them tonight when everyone is sleeping. You know that Miseni does tend to doze during his watch?”
“If you know that then you know that I watch for him. I feel guilty enough at not healing his leg, don’t try to make me feel worse.”
7333
“I think you should unblock your healer love. You need all of them to make a healthy start and be strong so that they’ll grow into a nation.”
“Not yet Robbie.” I hesitated. “Do you think I’m being stubborn?”
“No, I think you see something I don’t, that’s all.”
I smiled because of my thought. “I like this. It’s nice sometimes not knowing what you are thinking or feeling. It forces us to talk and I enjoy it. Why don’t you suggest to the girls who are Cherinian-born that they do it for two or three days? They should block each other and you, leaving only their link to Cherine so that they don’t suffer…what’s so funny?” He was doubled over and whooping with laughter.
“Somebody said, ‘she’s not content with running one world, she still wants to boss us!’ and everyone is laughing.”
Tears came to my eyes. “Oh Robbie, they’re not afraid of teasing me, I’m so glad.” Would anyone without telepathy understand why I then cried?
Saiama would have just accepted the presence of the trees and planted them for me. The others all clamoured for an explanation - not asking me, but asking each other within earshot. Since Saiama had told them about those who attacked us and about someone, my husband, that I called the Fanged One, I only told them that the Fanged One brought them so that we have new kinds of fruit and food. They were then very quick to dig holes where I asked them to and plant the trees, even watering them without complaining about the long tote from the river.
The return of the two men was greeted with great enthusiasm and when they saw the fish the women ululated to show their pleasure and promptly decided we would have fish for supper. The men were told about the trees and they walked around to see every single tree, exclaiming at their size. They recognised the banana trees and when I told them they are red bananas they became excited, their grandparents having talked about them and how good they taste when cooked.
When we planted the corn I worked with them, so the women joined us, the two kids sitting on the ground by us. The next morning they all rushed to see how well the corn has grown. I hid my smile and told them my daughters are not here to help so they will grow normally. I suggested they spend the months thinking of ways to stop the baboons from claiming our next crop.
They did not use their healers on the corn, but they did on the trees, without telling me, and within a month they flowered and the first fruit appeared. It took a week for the first ones to ripen. There were plenty for all of us and we made a feast of the mangoes and we all had a runny tummy the next morning.
It does not matter how difficult times are, humans will always find something to laugh about and they’ll find something to ferment to make some kind of beer or brandy and then drink it with great gusto, however horrible it tastes. My little group were no exception. I did not get to share in much of their laughter, as they tend to be too serious when I’m around, and as for their drink, I sniffed it when they offered and then refused to even taste it - telling them I know of far more pleasant ways to kill myself. I was being nasty, their drink is very nutritious, but I disliked the smell.
It is very easy to forget lessons experience has taught us. Months went by with very minor improvements because the day was so full of chores that had to be taken care of. One morning I walked out of my hut in a mood and they all carefully looked away, suddenly busy because they recognised the signs. It stopped me and forced me to think. I remembered other days when nothing seemed to please me, but I had not recognised what is happening.
“I’m going for a long walk with Skotos. I’ll return at the end of day.”
I was no sooner outside our land and cultivated fields and my mood evaporated. I could only run at a slow pace, not even a trot for Skotos, but I ran until I had a stitch in my side. I collapsed and Skotos nuzzled me. I grinned.
“I’ll take you for a real run soon, now let me get my breath back.”
7334
I spent much of that day thinking and making plans. I also realised I’ve been my own worst enemy because of my need to show the others I can pull my weight, despite being the wrong colour and only having the full use of one arm. It is not my job or responsibility to work with them. They have entrusted me with their future and expect me to think for them. I can see the truth in that thought, but I can also sense the danger. This is the way some people come to think of themselves as being special and also the reason why governments are so paternalistic. I promised myself I will discuss with them every idea and listen to any objections before trying to implement them.
“I nearly gave up on finding you alone.” I turned, a delighted smile on my face as Cherine took a couple of steps and sank by my side. She hugged me. “Gosh, you’re so hard!”
“I’ve paid for each of those stringy muscles with aches.”
“I know, we shared.” She touched my cheek. “Return to Freddie for a couple of days, we miss you.”
“I don’t think I could bear to mutilate my body like this for returning here.”
“Sam, you’ve made your point - it is time for you to make a new point. Tell them your husband has decided to heal you. Robert will only appear as a light and…why not!”
“I’m not trying to establish a religion Cherine, it is happening, but I must not make them fanatical. I’ll find a way, I’m also fed up of walking crooked and it still hurts.” I came to my feet and walked away, but Cherine knew I wanted her to wait so she remained seated. I returned to her. “You better unblock my healer please.”
I did not allow my healer to repair me, as I did not wish to waste the opportunity of using my healing for creating an effect. Cherine gently hugged me, careful of my shoulder, and returned to Freddie. I walked back slowly, trying to resolve the conflict of how I feel about those who have joined me and my plans for their descendants.
We sat around the fire to eat and talk about the day. At a moment of silence I spoke to Miseni. “Tell us of how you hurt your leg.”
He squirmed, embarrassed. “I fell. I was on a rock to watch for buck and I saw something move. I thought it was a snake and jumped.”
I grinned. “Was it a snake?”
“No.” The others looked at him in surprise.
“Miseni, sometimes, when we speak the truth, life changes for us. I too made a mistake and I paid for my foolishness.” I opened my shirt and showed my shoulder. “I think it is time for your leg to heal.” I told my healer to fix his leg once he is asleep.
Their voices woke me very early in the morning. I smiled and turned over to sleep a little longer. When I came out, only Saiama stood before my hut. He waited for me to sit and handed over a wooden platter with fruit. I ate a red banana and told him, “I think Miseni should visit Afriamasi. If you went with, do you think you could convince another one or two families to join us?”
“Perhaps all of them will want to come Sam?”
“We must not change what is, Saiama. The tribe have a medicine man and a chief and the tribe belong with them. When I am ready to leave, then the rest may come. We need a few more here so that we can build for the others and grow enough food for the tribe. We must also find some cattle and goats. Tell me, Skotos, have you seen any animals like him?”
“We know not of such animals, we never had any. You will leave us Sam?”
“I also need my family, so I will leave when I am happy with the way things are. I’d first like to find some of the animals I spoke of. Saiama, we have a lot to do and little time. Bring us another two families - and if you find yourself a woman, I will be pleased. No man should grow old without children Saiama.”
7335
It was obvious that Saiama had spoken to the others, saving me from embarrassment, but when their work was done in the fields and the women returned I saw that they were uneasy around me. I called for them to sit by me a while.
“Tell the men that you will not work so many hours in the fields, I need you to spend some time with me every day. There is much you must learn so that your children and their children grow strong and your tribe becomes bigger.” I then started on teaching them about hygiene. Not what we would think of as hygiene, I was not interested in teaching them to smell nice, I wanted to lower the death rate among babies and children and by also teaching them about what variety they should eat ensure they will also be healthier as adults.
The two families I asked for arrived and we expanded the size of our fields. I also asked the men to travel around our village and frighten the baboons so that they move away before our new crops mature. They understood that I do not want them killed and were puzzled, but did as I asked. I want to teach them about the sanctity of life so that they do not kill animals without reason, but the future ties my hands, when I arrived at that time they had already killed off most of the wild life.
A week later Miseni asked to leave for a few days. He returned with a woman. At a moment that we were alone I teased Saiama but he remained polite, but shut within himself. I guess the loss of his family still hurts too much.
“Saiama, you and I will leave in the morning. Ask Iaka whether he agrees for his son Mofazi to come with us.”
“We look for animals?”
“Yes.”
“Need more Sam, one man cannot hold all.” He meant that he wanted to be free to watch over me. I did not argue and he brought Mzuto with.
We followed the river and over the weeks we passed the land Efineh’s people come from and we headed for the village I’d visited on the first trip to the Lake Orati. Just before we arrived at the place I expected to find the village, Robbie called for me to walk off by myself.
“The village has not been established here yet love. We’ve also searched and there are no horses anywhere, I think the Orati must have brought them to this area.”
“Cows and goats?”
“You’ll have to go to the south to find a tribe who have both. Sam, what will you trade for them?”
“I’d intended asking what they would want.”
“You’ll have to unblock yourself if you want to go to them, they’re not very friendly. They are arrogant like the Masai of our world.”
I grinned. “Do you mean Vincent is not watching over me?”
His grin was even wider than mine. “He’s a married man now Sam, you can’t expect him to spend all his time watching over you.” I giggled and Vincent and Kirsten appeared. I gave them each a hug.
Kirsten said, with a smile, “Don’t listen to him Sam, we’re both watching you.”
“Well, it does pose an interesting question. What if someone attacks me at the moment you’re making love?” Robbie burst out laughing.
Kirsten giggled and then said, seriously, “I guess we’ll have to wait and see. It should be interesting, especially if Vincent arrives as he is about to come.”
“Do you mind!” Robbie said sternly, “You’re talking to a child!” That made even Vincent smile.
7336
Robbie’s eyes lingered a moment on my left arm. “When we show your adventures on the screen, the Orati will be pleased.”
“Why?”
“They’ll see that even with one arm you’re still a white demon that can’t be resisted.”
I grinned. “Apart from toilet paper, do you know what I really miss? A plate of lamb chops with salad and chips. I hope I can leave here soon.”
“And when will that happen?” Robbie asked.
“Once the whole tribe moves to our place. I first have to use my healer on all of them so that they have more babies than they would have.”
“And do you know what I really miss? Having you in my arms. Sam, let me cut short your stay. I’ll bring you some breeding cattle and goats, take them home and heal everyone. We all miss you love, we can’t wait another year or two.”
I took Kirsten’s hand in mine and looked into her beautiful eyes earnestly. “What should I do Kirsten, he’s turning into a real masochist - he needs me with him to make his life a misery. Should I pamper his kinky needs?”
Suddenly I found myself surrounded by all my loves. Carefully they took turns hugging me, teasing Robbie and I as they waited their turn. I gave in and agreed to return, asking Robbie to deliver the animals two days journey from home.
“Saiama, we’ll turn back to return home. We’ll collect the animals on the way.” He nodded so the other two did not ask me any questions, but they made certain they had time alone with him to ask him.
The animals were waiting for us and it was funny watching the men try to handle them. They had no experience of caring for animals and the goats taxed their patience to the extreme. The first night within my hut, I unblocked myself and jumped to Freddie.
“I don’t know anything about raising cattle and goats, I need to learn from the internet.” To tell the truth, my mind was not on what I was saying. I was busy eating my lamb chops, but my mind was churning away, trying to work out how Maria knew to have them ready for me - she’d even chopped them into morsel sizes for me since I could only use one arm.
Diana spoke thoughtfully, “I doubt you’ll find what you need. The way cows and goats are bred and cared for in our world is too sophisticated. You should collect a Feshidi from our time to teach them.”
What she said made sense and was only short on one item. Where would I find a Feshidi capable of understanding a jump to Freddie and another back to his past? I shook my head at my stupidity, they can spend as long as they want preparing such a person and return within hours. I asked Robbie. “I’m not too happy about that. It means we’d spend months or even a year without you.”
I could sense all of them so I capitulated. My healer repaired my shoulder. I only had time for a sharp cry as bones twisted, pieces were broken off and everything grown and placed correctly while muscles and ligaments were also repaired. I didn’t have time to notice the repair of my skin. The new instant healing style is still a shock to me - thank you Boxee.
Even as Robbie and my loves leapt to grab hold of me, Freddie jumped so that no time is lost. Before I quite knew what was happening we were in our bedroom and the girls were ridding me of my clothes, most of them laughing, filled with joy, and passion only thereafter blossoming. Robbie stood watching, looking bemused, but willing to wait. We all laughed at him in our minds and then I was in his arms. For a while I was spaced out, unable to cope with sudden full health and passion. Robbie knew exactly how to handle me so that all I was aware of within a short time was unadulterated bliss. Once I’d had my turn and lay totally satiated, Cherine made certain that Diana was next, claiming Diana had managed to change my mind when even she had not succeeded.
7337
Back in our time, everybody pleaded for the screens to show what the butterfly had captured, the rest of it to be from my sharing. I tried to delay it happening and had to move quickly to prevent causing new problems. I changed myself to a Feshidi and went to visit the priests.
I stretched out my arm for the blood tribute, but the priest only glanced at it and then stared at my face.
“Is it not time for the truth? Are we not worthy yet?”
“That is why I came.” I was curious. “How did you know?”
He showed me his arm and then raised mine. The difference was instantly obvious - I’d forgotten to keep the scars from the previous offerings!
“I am greatly troubled, for I came here to learn and help you preserve the teachings, but I fear you will think I came to mock you.”
“The Fanged One sent you?”
“No, I came because I believe it is important the people of each land keep the wisdom of their ancestors.” I bowed my head to him. “I am Samantha.” I had expected anger. As the silence stretched out I raised my head to look at him.
“Show me the truth.” I changed myself. I did not see anger in his eyes, just pain.
“I spoke truly, I do not believe in the Fanged One, but I do believe that every person has the right to believe in their own god. I feared that my coming was turning people away from the beliefs they’d grown up with. When that happens and the loss of faith is not replaced by something else, then there is an emptiness in their spirit. I do not want anyone seeing me as a god, I am not. That is why I came to show you by my offerings that I respect your beliefs and hoped to gentle what your god asks of you. Tonight the screens will show you what happened to me since I last came here. Please watch the screens and then I will return tomorrow to talk with you. Please do not be angered, for I really do want to help.”
The first interval was when I arrived at the village and the medicine man examined my wounds. Robbie appeared on the screens.
“Many are still puzzled at how this could have happened. As you all know, there are men and women from my world and many others who hate us. More than they hate me, many of them hate Samantha. They came to this world secretly and made the bees and lion attack so that Samantha would forget to protect her mind and they were able to enter her mind to shut off all her gifts of power and they then took her back in time by about eight hundred years. Samantha soon realised what had happened, but she thought she had been taken back five hundred years. In the next part of the screening of her memories you will actually meet the people who attacked her. You will see me kill them, for I was greatly angered. I may have been wrong to do so, but I still carry enough anger in my heart to feel I would do so again. Have something to drink and the show will continue soon.”
Haven was at our Feshidi Centre and I shared through her as I wanted to see how they would react to seeing how their nation came into existence. I had worried without reason. What they saw was too outlandish for it to be possible for them to understand. There was nothing for them to relate to.
I arrived in the temple as Samantha this time. They were all waiting for me. I seated myself before the elder. “Did you understand? Did you find any honour in me?”
“You claim that the one you call Robert is the Fanged One?”
“We will be leaving to return to the past soon. I offer you the opportunity to return there with me. I promise you will be returned. I think it is the only way for you to understand how your people started and how the Fanged One became your god.”
They retired to their quarters and there must have been many arguments for they took a couple of hours. The elder returned to advise me they have agreed. “Samantha, my name is Kerastiri. Call for me when you wish me to travel with you.”
7338
The man with experience of tending cattle and goats is not a Feshidi. He comes from the village on the way to the Lake Orati. He was taken to Freddie with Kerastiri and Freddie jumped to a dead reality so that they are given all the time they need to lose their fear and understand what is needed of them.
A number of Cherinians take turns watching Sebura. Not for the purpose of spying on him, but in case he needs help or wishes to return to visit Pirusi. He returned and heard a garbled version of what had happened to me and arrived at our door with his daughter. She was given some ice cream and a story book for children with many pictures, and settled quietly, only her eyes returning to watch Sebura’s face now and then.
“I do not understand Samantha.”
“Would you like me to bring you into my mind so that you can see my memories directly?” I have edited a version for others to share that excludes personal moments. If a non-Cherinian were to share them without explanations from us, he would think we do not have the common bodily functions, giving rise to some funny perceptions of us.
He was taken aback by my offer and after I reassured him he agreed. After he left my mind he sat lost in his thoughts for a long time. I expected some comment, so I was caught by surprise when he took the hand of Pirusi and they left without a word being spoken.
Aganthi giggled. “He didn’t even thank you.”
“I’m not certain he should have.” I took her hand in mine. “Would you like to run with me? Skotos hasn’t run with me for a very long time and he’s nearly gone wild again.”
“No, the first time it should only be the two of you.”
“I knew it! I should have asked Piri to run with me.” I laughed and jumped to Skotos.
I was in the nude when I projected and all my loves insisted on being with to see. I told them they are all turning into masochists, but the truth is I was touched by their tears. When we arrived at the taverna I was dressed in the same clothes I’d arrived here in and they were wrinkled and dirty. Little Piri saw my deformed shape and could not understand why I look the way I do and burst into tears. Sebura held her as he promised to explain to her. Touching the two men who are coming with me, I jumped.
Both men have gone through intensive training, learning not only the language but also the history and customs. As soon as we arrived they left my hut so that my people do not think they’d spent the night with me. That meant I had to sit with them as they could have been attacked. We rekindled the fire, boiled water for tea and softly talked while the mosquitoes persistently tried to pass through the barricade my healer created.
7339
Damn! I had to jump back to Freddie to quickly update and tell you what thought came to me as I waited for dawn. Arthur, the healers, when we heal Normals, they are healed all the way, down to their DNA. Surely that would affect the children they’ll have? Won’t they be healthier, stronger and more resilient to disease? No more genetically inherited diseases or handicaps! Taller also I guess and, if intelligence is part of our evolution, perhaps also smarter? Damn again! My family passed on to everyone in Freddie what I wrote for you and I need to get back to my hut quickly, we can chat when I return. Bye.With the two of you writing, I better mention I’m back before I start writing of the events on planet.
Four Elipians volunteered to project as horses and carry our loads - there was a certain sense of humour to them volunteering and they projected themselves as magnificent horses. We collected food to last the entire tribe three days and walked to them. While we would be away, the girls had promised to build huts for all the tribe, with two special huts for their chief and medicine man. They would also see to the watering of our crop and keep away baboons and other scavengers.
The chief must have been warned of our imminent arrival, for he was waiting for us in public. I took the last few steps to him on my own.
“Mighty chief, you are a man of great wisdom.” I gave him a few seconds to think about my reasons for calling him wise. “When I was brought here the first time, you sensed that there was something about me that made me different - apart from my pale skin. Despite that, you showed mercy and allowed me to stay until I was healed and able to care for myself again. I wish to show my gratitude and have returned with food for all the tribe so that we may feast and celebrate.”
The medicine man was very angry with me, sending Miseni back with a healed leg had made him look like an amateur. Afriamasi called out, “Chief, she has returned to destroy our people, she and those who follow her must be banished or killed.”
I gave the chief a smile, “May I answer him?” Without waiting I walked over to Afriamasi and lowered my head. “If you have the courage, place your hand on top of my head.” In a mixture of anger and fear he slapped his hand on my head. A glow surrounded me and I let go my projection. As I suddenly stood before him fully healed he backed away. I turned so that all could hear me.
“When I arrived here, this man used his powers to heal my wounds and remove the evil from the lion that would have killed me. I knew that when he decided I am ready he will heal me so that I do not have even a mark left to suffer.” I pulled the top of my shirt down to show my shoulder. “As you see, he succeeded. I am in your debt, I owe my life to all of you, please allow me to provide the food for us to celebrate the wisdom and powers of your chief and your medicine man Afriamasi.”
The baskets were already being unpacked as I’d arranged and the comments of amazement were already being heard, so the chief gave in, agreeing to a feast.
The next day I sent a message to the chief that I would like to speak to him in the afternoon. Two of his men escorted me to him. I laid out a few trinkets we’d bought from the Feshidi in the future as gifts and then asked to speak.
“In my land, my people used to live the way your people do. Then some person said, why look for this kind of plant every day and he took lots of baby plants and made holes near his house and put them there. With water they grew and now he had some food outside his hut. Another person ate some fruit and threw the seeds outside his hut. It rained and baby fruit trees grew. Slowly they learnt to grow all the food they need.
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Now men only had to search and hunt for meat. Then somebody killed an animal that had a baby. He took it home and when it grew up he killed it and they ate meat for the first time without having to waste a day hunting. They went and searched for lots of baby animals and kept them near their huts and now people had lots of food to eat.
All the food we brought for the feast, we did not search for it, we grew it by our huts. We have good food and we should be happy, but we are not, for those who followed me from your tribe, they think of their people and how hard life is for them. They built lots of huts and we have come to ask you to move there and be the chief of all your people. Chief, when you come I will leave, for I have my own people and family and I need to be with them. I do not ask you to make a decision now, come for a visit to see that what I tell you is true and then decide.”
It took a few days for him to decide, but they came, they liked what they saw and soon the entire tribe moved. I only stayed long enough for Kerastiri to be satisfied that he has organised the beginnings of their religion, although he told them that the Fanged One has many names and that one of his names is Robert
The day before we left I asked Saiama to walk with me. We sat by the side of the river.
“You still have not found yourself a woman.”
“I am too old Sam.”
I touched his arm. “Let me tell you a story. You have known that I do not come from here, but the truth is, I also belong to a different tomorrow.” As simply as I could, I explained and his eyes showed his amazement. I told him about the Feshidi of the future, of how one little village has grown until they spread out and have become many villages. I gave him half an hour to digest what I’d told him by walking along the river. I returned to him.
“Saiama, the reason I told you the truth is because I have come to think of you as a friend. I want you to come with me. Before you decide, I have one gift I want to offer you.” I sent my healer into him and it rejuvenated him back to his twenties. He was shaken and terrified, so I smiled. “Now you are young enough to choose yourself a woman and have a new family. Saiama, if you come with me, you will have many women to find the one that will make you happy. Any family you have with her, I will be there to watch them and keep them safe. This time you will see them grow into men and women and they will give you grandchildren. That is what I am offering you.”
He could not think, for he was still terrified, but I made him walk with me and as I expected, his younger body and health soon revived him and he started to ask questions.
“I stay with Sam.”
“As a friend?”
“When I am not afraid.” I laughed, for he will be afraid many times, but I knew he will remain a friend.
We arrived in Freddie yesterday. Saiama took his arrival here quite calmly. He does not understand what Freddie is or where we are, he just thinks he has been brought to my home. We are waiting a couple of days and then we’ll jump five years ahead so that I can visit to ensure my plans worked out. Then we’ll return to our time.
Efineh now thinks of the Feshidi as ‘our’ people and I think they’ll find her more of a friend in the future. Piri does not understand, but Sebura has been affected. I asked him whether he’d like to come with me on my next visit as a Feshidi.
“Kerastiri, I asked you, but did not receive an answer then. Have I acted with honour?”
“For my people, yes. For me, I do not know. Too much of what I believed is no longer true.”
I hope you enjoy reading this story of fantasy, adventure and love - and should some of it be true for our reality, I hope you will love our Cherine.
Αλέξανδρος Ζήνον Ευσταθίου
(Alexander Zenon Eustace)- posted: 21st Jun, 2020
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